Seat for a swing

ABSTRACT

A seat for a swing that comprises a base, an upper frame, a plurality of spacers coupling the base to the upper frame, and a divider, wherein the seat is capable of being suspended from a fixed component by a suspension means, and the divider is located within the base and the upper frame. The divider is capable of acting as sizer for adjusting the size of the seat for the swing. Additionally, the divider serves to separate the seat for the swing into two separate compartments for use by two children simultaneously. In preferred embodiments, the divider may be removed to provide more space for the child.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is directed generally to swings, and moreparticularly to a seat for a swing that allows one or two children tosafely and comfortably swing.

BACKGROUND

A swing consists of a hanging seat that allows individuals to swingthrough the air. Swings may be found in children's playgrounds, incircuses and on porches. The seat of a swing is usually suspended by anappropriate suspension system, such as a rope or chain, from a fixedsupport that is typically a horizontal bar, such as a tree branch, abeam, a rafter, or the like. Once a swing is in motion it continues tooscillate until external interference or drag brings it to a halt.

Most babies and toddlers find swinging relaxing and enjoyable. However,most children out grow their baby swings in a few months. A limitationof existing baby and toddler swings is that they are designed to holdchildren of one age and developmental stage.

Swinging is something that is enjoyable, both alone and as a sharedexperience, and can be enjoyed by babies and older sibling. However itis desirable that a swing suitable for two children, be also usable andenjoyable by a single user.

Twin swings are typically designed for a single age group. Accordingly,there is a need for a seat for a swing that accommodates children ofdifferent ages safely and comfortably.

Numerous patents have been issued for swings. The following discuss butfew examples and should not be construed to imply that an exhaustivesearch has been carried out.

U.S. Pat. No. 686,420 to Powell, describes a combined swinging chair andcrib wherein the swinging chair can hold two individuals and can beturned into a crib when parts of the swing are moved around. This swingis bulky and difficult to carry and store, and is designed for use by asingle toddler at a time.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,545,295 to Miller, describes a swing for two riders,characterized by versatility of movements determined and controlled bythe cooperative efforts of both riders or resultant from theircompetitive opposition. This swing is not intended to be used by babiesor toddlers.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,615,119 to Irwin, which describes a pair of swingsarranged in tandem with respect to one another and supported by means offlexible chains. This swing does not provide for adjustment based on thesize of the child or for independent entry and exit of an older child.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,205,406 to Wangkeo et al., which describes a baby swingcrib for an infant which includes a basket suspended from a chain. Theswing is designed for use by a single toddler at a time. This swing doesnot adjust to the size of the child or allow for a child to comfortablysit in the upright position.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,736 to Brown, which describes a convertible child'splay swing which has a seat with a base panel having a pocket and theswing includes a seating surface stiffener sized for removable placementwithin the pocket. When the stiffener is removed the seat is morepliable and accommodating to a baby, whereas when the stiffener isinserted into the pocket, the seat becomes rigid and supports the bodyof a toddler sitting in the upright position. The swing also does notprovide for simultaneous use by two children, for the adjustment to thesize of the child.

Accordingly, there is a need for a seat for a swing that can be adjustedto the size of the child and that can be configured to be used for morethan one child at the same time, thereby fostering the shared swingingexperience. Furthermore, there is a need for the swing to be lightweightand easily transportable and storable.

SUMMARY OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the invention is directed to a seat for aswing comprising: a base, an upper frame vertically separated from theseat and disposed thereabove, and a divider, wherein the seat is capableof being suspended from an anchor by a suspension system coupled to theseat, and the divider engages the base and/or the upper frame to dividethe seat. The upper frame forming at least a partial guard rail aboutthe base. Preferably, the base is separated from the upper frame by aplurality of spacers. Certain embodiments comprise side walls whichseparate the upper frame from the base.

In one optional embodiment, the invention further comprises thesuspension system, and optionally, also the support from which it issuspended.

Optionally, several elements described above may be formed integrally asa single unit.

Preferably, the base is oblong, and the upper frame comprises at leastone crossbar. More preferably, the upper frame comprises a plurality ofcrossbars. In one embodiment, the upper frame comprises two longcrossbars and two short crossbars.

Preferably the swing comprises a coupler for attaching the divider tothe seat. The coupler typically comprise a plurality of components orportions of elements already described, which cooperate to couple thedivider and the seat or portions thereof. Preferably, the couplercomprises a protrusion on one component and a receptacle on anothercomponent.

In one embodiment the coupler is formed by the divider having at leastone bottom protrusion protruding from its lower side and the base isprovided with the receptacle for engagingly receiving the bottomprotrusion. Additionally or alternatively, there is provided at leastone side protrusion on the side of the divider and at least onereceptacle located on at least one long crossbar for receiving the atleast one protrusion.

Additionally or alternatively, the at least one protrusion is located onthe base and/or on at least one long crossbar, and/or at least one sidewall in certain embodiments, and the receptacle is located on thedivider.

In yet another embodiment of the coupler, the divider has notches on itssides capable of engaging a pair of long crossbars substantiallyparallel to each other. Preferably the notches is dimensioned to engagethe crossbars so as to allow adjustable fixing therebetween.

In certain embodiments the divider is permanently attached to the baseor at least one of the long crossbars of the upper frame or one of theside walls. Preferably however, the coupler is constructed to allowadjustably fixing the divider relative to the seat. To that end, theprotrusion engages the receptacle and the divider can be selectivelymoved and fixed in place utilizing a locking mechanism.

Optionally, the seat further comprises at least one tie, with a top endof the at least one tie attached to the short crossbar, or forming theshort crossbar, and a bottom end removably attachable to the base.

Optionally, the tie is selected from a group comprising a solid bar, abungee cord, a rope, a chain, a T, Y or V shaped crotch strap, a T-bar,and an triangular cloth member.

Optionally, the base comprises a slot or a hole, and the tie comprises amatching closure. Preferably, the closure on the tie is selected fromthe group comprising knots, beads and toggles.

Preferably, the dimensions of the swing follow the American Home UseOutdoor Toy Standard Number ASTM F11. Additionally or alternatively, thedimensions of the swing follow the European Standard EN-71.

In alternative embodiments, the seat further comprises at least oneadditional tie spanning between a long crossbar and the base, to allow achild to sit safely with his feet protruding from the space between thebase and the long crossbar, the child's legs straddling the tie.Preferably, the tie in such embodiment is detachable from the base.

In an alternative embodiment the seat for the swing further comprises acurtain wall. Optionally the curtain wall is flexible. Typically thecurtain wall is removably attachable to the base and the upper framearound the perimeter of the base to create an enclosure.

In some embodiments, the divider may also serve to divide the seat forthe swing into two separate compartments.

Preferably, the seat for the swing is lightweight and easilytransportable by one individual.

Optionally the seat further comprises at least one of: padding which canbe inserted on either one or both sides of the divider; a tray that isremovably attachable to the upper frame; and a carrying case, whereinthe seat is collapsible, compactable and capable of being stored in thecarrying case.

Typically the divider can also be removed.

Optionally the base is padded.

A second aspect of the current invention is directed to a method ofsizing a seat for a swing comprising the following steps:

-   -   a. attaching an upper frame to a base via a plurality of        spacers;    -   b. inserting a divider into the upper frame;    -   c. moving the divider to the desired location along a coupling        mechanism; and    -   d. affixing the divider in place.

Optionally the method further comprises the steps of attaching a curtainwall to the base and the upper frame, and locking the curtain wall inplace to the upper frame.

Further optional steps of the method are to remove the divider andinsert padding on the base.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For a better understanding of different aspects of the invention and toshow how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made,purely by way of example, to the accompanying Figures, wherewith it isstressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and forpurposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing whatis believed to be the most useful and readily understood description ofthe principles and conceptual aspects of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic isometric view of the seat for the swing inaccordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 2A is a front view of the divider;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a short crossbar of the upper frame ofFIG. 1, with it's corresponding tie;

FIG. 2C is a view of the base from below;

FIG. 3A shows a divider in accordance with yet another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 3B is an end view of a seat of one embodiment of the inventionincluding the divider of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is an end view of a seat, showing a novel V or Y shapedcrotch-tie in accordance with an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 4B is a bottom view of the base of FIG. 4A, showing mechanism forlocking the tie to the base;

FIG. 5 is an isometric projection of a further embodiment where the longcrossbars are coupled to base via side walls, (similar to that of FIG.4), schematically depicting a child swinging therein;

FIG. 6 is an end view of a seat showing a novel triangular tie inaccordance with yet another alternative embodiment;

FIG. 7A shows an isometric view of the seat for the swing with thedivider removed and a food tray being attached to the upper frame of theseat;

FIG. 7B shows the food tray detached from the seat, and

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the seat configured as a cradle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2A-C, a seat 10 for a swing is shown. Theseat 10 comprises an upper frame 11 comprising two short crossbars 12and two long crossbars 14, attached to a base 16 at a fixed distancetherefrom. Preferably the upper frame is vertically separated from thebase by a plurality of spacers 18. A suspension system 20 is attached tothe seat 10, either to the upper frame 11 and/or to the base 16.

In these specifications the term ‘suspension’ and equivalently‘suspension system’ should be construed to mean any manner of attachingthe seat to an attachment point of a fixed support, in a manner thatwill allow the seat to at least partially rotate about the attachmentpoint. The skilled in the art will recognize that such suspension iswell known in the art, and may be implemented in a plurality of ways,including, by way of non-limiting example, cords, rope, belts, straps,chains, rods, and the like. Commonly, the suspension utilizes aplurality of support lines, the lines being any convenient means such aschains, rods, ropes, straps, belts, and the like. The support systemattaches to an anchor on the seat. The anchor comprises at least oneattachment point that provides coupling between the seat and thesuspension system. In most embodiments several anchor points areprovided either on the base of on the upper frame, but anchors on thedivider or other parts of the seat are explicitly contemplated. It isnoted that the term anchor may include more than one anchor point andthat a combination of attachment points may form the anchor inaccordance within the meaning provided in these specifications.

The term ‘coupler’ refers herein to cooperating parts which allow secureattachment of one element of the seat to another element of the seat.The coupler typically comprise a plurality of components or portions ofelements already described, which cooperate to couple the divider andthe seat or portions thereof. Preferably, the coupler comprises aprotrusion on one component and a receptacle on another component. Thereceptacle may be a track, a hole, a series of holes, a profiledimensioned to cooperate with a second profile, a slot, a channel, andthe like. Optionally the receptacle is dimensioned to receive at leastone edge of the divider which acts as the protrusion. The receptacle maybe continuous or discontinuous. It will be understood by the skilled inthe art that the coupler may be implemented in a wide variety ofmanners, and the selection of the specific way by which the divider iscoupled to the seat—be it to the base, the crossbar(s) or both, is amatter of technical choice, and the term coupler encompasses thedifferent choices.

In one embodiment, the suspension system 20 is attached to the base 16and passes through holes present in the spacers 18, the long cross bars14, and the short crossbars 12 of the upper frame 11, enabling at leastthe short crossbars to be slid along the suspension lines. Thesuspension system 20 may be attached to a fixed support (not shown) suchas a tree branch, a beam, a rafter, a bar or a purpose built framework,and the like, to suspend the seat for the swing 10 therefrom.

Spacers 18 may be rigid, or gain the required stiffness by tension. Thespacers may be implemented by tubes, rods, and the like, but they mayalso be embodied by ropes, chains, cords, and the like. The ends ofsuspension lines 20 may be utilized as spacers, such as by utilizingknots or friction mechanisms therein or rings therearound to support thecross bars 12, 14 in desired positions. The spacers may also be firmlyconnected to long crossbars 18 or to base 16 or to both. Spacers may beshaped in the form of a side wall along the length of the seat as shownin FIG. 5.

The suspension lines may be coupled to the upper frame which may in turnbe coupled to the base, or the lines may be coupled directly to thebase.

Divider

It is a particular feature of the invention that a divider 22 isprovided. Although in some embodiments it may be a permanent fixture,the divider 22 is preferably removably located within the seat 10, andattaches to the base 16 and/or to the upper frame 11, typically to thelong crossbars 14 thereof.

The term ‘divider’ should be construed as a wall or a partition, havinga height and width greater than its thickness, and extending verticallyfrom the base or the upper frame to functionally divide the spaceloosely defined by the base and the upper frame vertically separatedtherefrom, into separate sections. The divider may extend the completedistance between the base and the upper frame, or part thereof, and mayfurther extend beyond the margins defined above. As described in moredetail below the divider may inter-alia, act to separate the seat intotwo portions to provide personal space to each of the two children usingthe swing simultaneously, function as a back-rest, or just to limit thespace for a single user and prevent slippage.

As shown in FIG. 2A, in one embodiment, the divider 22 has one or moreprotrusions 32 protruding from the underside of the divider 22. Theprotrusion(s) 32 of the divider 22 are insertable into one or moretracks 26 (FIG. 1, FIG. 2C) located on the base 16. Preferably thedivider 22 can be moved along the tracks 26 to allow for the seat 10 tobe effectively sized to the size of the child or children. Preferablythe divider 22 is then fixed in place by a locking mechanism.

Implementation of the locking mechanism will be a technical choice clearto the skilled in the art, and may comprise, by way of non-limitingexample, a bolt and screw interaction operable within the receptacle,matching hole or holes, friction based devices, detents with cooperatingmembers, spring, bolt, clamp, rotating and other closures, and the like.

It should be noted that in alternative embodiments, one or moreprotrusions (not shown) analogous to protrusions 32 may be located onthe side of the divider 22 instead of on the bottom edge of the divider22 for engaging one or more corresponding receptacles or tracks (notshown) capable of receiving the protrusions that are located on or inthe long crossbars 14. Alternatively or additionally, a protrusion maybe located on the base or on the long crossbar, to engage a notchlocated on the divider. In a further embodiment notches (not shown) maybe located on the sides of the divider so as to allow the divider toengage and slide along the long crossbars 14 (not shown). Yet anotherembodiment contemplates movable protrusions such as bolts being locatedin the seat or in the divider, to engage receptacles on the oppositemember. The skilled in the art will readily recognize that a largeplurality of attachment methods are common in the art and the inventionis not limited to any particular attachment method or mode.

Although optionally the divider is fixed, preferably the divider 22 canbe adjusted for various purposes, such as to allow a child to sit or tosupport a sitting child, or to allow two children to sit on either sideof the divider.

The divider 22 is typically able to fulfil more than one function.Firstly it enables a large seat to be sized to hold a small childcomfortably and securely. Depending on how the child sits, the dividermay further serve as a back rest or as a side wall. Secondly the dividercan serve to define individual spaces for two children swingingsimultaneously. This enables two children to play together whileminimizing the tendency to squabble by each one claiming that the otheris crowding his space.

With reference to FIG. 3A, in a further embodiment, the divider 322 ishexagon shaped and is provided with pegs 324 that engage correspondingholes or continuous tracks in the side bars 14 of the upper frame 11,thereby allowing positioning of the divider.

FIG. 3B, which depicts an end view of the seat along axis X-X′ (with thetie not shown for clarity), is a simplified depiction of an embodimentwhere the divider is attached to the upper frame. In this option, thedivider does not extend all the way to the base. However if the dividerdoes not extend all the way to the base, it is preferable that itextends to a distance of at least 6.5 cm therefrom, so as to preventtrapping a child body part between the divider and the base.

In one embodiment where divider engages crossbars, the width of thedivider is about 23 cm. It is noted that there are American and Europeansafety standards governing the design of children's furniture ingeneral, including infant swings, and that various embodimentspreferably conform to those standards.

Crossbar and Tie

Preferably, the short crossbar 12 is movable along the suspension system20 lines, so that a child can move a short crossbar 12 upwards along thesuspension lines and enter the swing, by sliding his/her legs below thecross bar 12. Two children may sit back to back, with their backs to thedivider 22, and with their legs protruding outwardly from under eachshort cross-bar 12. Once the child is comfortably seated, the cross-barwill be pushed down until it rests on the long crossbar 14 or on thespacers 18.

Similarly, one or two children may sit parallel to the divider 22, withtheir feet protruding under a long crossbar 14. Alternate methods ofusing the swing by two children include the children facing the samedirection, in opposite directions or one facing a directionperpendicular to the other, with one sitting with his/her back to thedivider 22 and with his/her feet protruding under a short cross bar anda second child sitting with feet protruding under a long cross bar 14.

With most embodiments a tie 28 is preferably provided. FIGS. 2B and 2Cdepict on example of such tie. Tie 28 is attached at a top end to one ofthe short crossbars 12, and is removably attachable to the base 16 by aclosure. By way of non-limiting example, a closure may be achieved byinserting the bottom of the tie 28 into a slot 33, and then moving thetie 28 until a bead 30 on the end thereof engages a socket 34 on theunderside of the base 16 (see FIG. 2C).

The bead 30 may be of various shapes and sizes. Where the tie 28 is astrap, cord or rope, it may be a knot in the tie 28. The knot may bedecorative. In some embodiments the tie 28 is elastic or at leastincludes an elastic segment, such as a length of bungee cord or thelike.

The tie may be configured in numerous manners, and need not be a simplestrap. By way of example, with reference to FIG. 6, the tie 128 may be acrotch strap, with a sleeve part that slips over the crossbar 12. It canalso be a rigid T, V or Y shaped section (FIG. 4A) that hangs down fromthe short crossbar 12. In certain embodiments the upper portion of thetie may form the crossbar or a portion thereof. In the embodiment shown,the closure comprises an elongated knob 130, and as shown in FIG. 4B,the socket 134 in the base 116 is an elongated hole, without a slit 33.In such embodiments, the knob 130 is inserted through the socket 134 androtated 90° to lock in place. The skilled in the art will againrecognize that the selection of any on of the numerous manners ofimplementing a closure is a matter of technical choice.

FIG. 5 shows yet another embodiment of the invention, that enjoysseveral advantages, one of which is inexpensive manufacturing. A child 5sitting in a seat 100 for a swing, comprising (i) a single elongatedcomponent 82, having a U shaped cross section with the elongatedcomponent serving as the base, the long cross bars of upper frame andthe spacers; (ii) the divider 84, that may also serves as a stiffener,to maintain the shape of the elongated component, and (iii and iv) apair of end units 86 that are preferably injection molded and eachcombine a short cross bar and tie that serves to restrain the child.Thus seat 100 includes the functionality of base, upper frame, divider,spacers and ties, as in the basic seat 10, mutatis mutandis, and may besuspended via suspension system 20, despite comprising a smaller numberof separate components. Optionally, the elongated component 82 and thedivider 84 may be a formed as a single piece, however preferably thedivider is removable. Utilizing at least one track (not shown) molded inthe elongated component will allow removal of the divider, while thetrack may provide added rigidity to the structure. Preferably, the endunits 86 are formed as Y shaped tie, and may be slid along thesuspension lines or rotate outwardly from elongated component 82.

FIG. 6 depicts an end view along axis X-X′, of a seat 110 in accordancewith yet another embodiment. The divider 122 has tapering side walls,and the tie 228 is a triangular piece of cloth with an upper sleeve thatat least partially wraps around the short crossbar 12, and is connectedby an elastic cord 36 to a closure, such as bead 30.

Notably, during use, the short crossbar 12 is coupled to the base 16 bythe tie, either rigidly or elastically, thus preventing the shortcrossbar 12 from moving upward on the suspension system 20. In thismanner a child sitting in the seat for the swing can have his/her legsstraddling the tie 28, and the combination of the short crossbar 12 andthe tie 28, when locked in place, secures the child in the seat of theswing. The short crossbar 12 is locked in place by attaching the tie 28to the base 16 via any desired attachment system. The tie 28 thus mayserve two purposes; it holds the short crossbar 12 to the base 16preventing the short crossbar 16 from moving upward. Additionally, whena child's legs straddle the tie 28, it prevents the child from slidingout of the seat 10 for the swing. Clearly, such functionality is notrequired if the crossbar is otherwise attached to the seat structure andthe bar is thus prevented from moving along the suspension system.

It should be noted that in some embodiments, an additional tie (notshown) may be attached on to the long crossbars 14 so that a child cansit alongside the divider 22, with his legs straddling the additionaltie.

With reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B an optional detachable tray 50 isshown. The detachable tray 50 can be attached to the side of a seat, andmay serve as a support for a variety of accessories. Usefully, when tray50 is attached to the seat 10 the swing seat 10 can serve as a feedingseat, for example, in lieu of a conventional high chair.

Preferably, if long crossbars 14 are hollow or provided with cavities,rods 52 protruding from tray 50 can be slid into the hollows or cavitiesof rods 14, thereby serving as attachment points for coupling the tray50 to the seat 10. Such a coupling points will be able to take very hightorques, but it will be appreciated that other coupling methods may beused.

In some embodiments, the divider 22 of seat 10 may be detached, and withsufficient ties, especially wide triangular or V or Y shaped ties alongthe periphery, or, with reference to FIG. 8, with curtain wall 60inserted into or around the seat and attached thereto via attachmentmembers, such as press-studs and the like, or by hanging from the crossbars, the seat 10 for the swing can be used as a cradle. Optionally, aplurality of spacers 18 may be used to couple the upper frame 11 to thebase 16 and to serve this purpose.

Optionally, padding may be placed on the base 16 on either one or bothsides of the divider 22, to make the seat more comfortable to sit on orfor lying on.

It will be noted that all dimensions given, and proportions are by wayof illustration only, and are not limiting.

As explained, the divider 22 can serve as a sizer to size the seat 10for the swing to hold one child comfortably and safely. When used as asizer, the divider 22 may serve as the back of the seat. Additionally,the divider 22 serves to divide the seat for the swing into two separatecompartments, so that two children can use the seat at the same time tolie down, or to sit back to back, front to back, front to front or sideto side. Furthermore, the divider may be removed completely, so that theseat may be used for a very large person to swing, or as a cradle.

It will be appreciated, as shown by way of example in the embodimentdepicted in FIG. 5, that the various elements of the swing seat can bemanufactured singly and separately, or that several elements may beco-fabricated as unitary components, perhaps by injection molding. InFIG. 5, the short cross bar and tie were fabricated as one element (part86), and the base, long crossbars and spacers may be fabricated as asingle elongated element 82. Indeed, the divider 84 may be co-fabricatedwith the base, spacers and long cross bars, such as by injectionmolding, or permanently fastened thereto, or may be removable.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to what hasbeen described hereinabove merely by way of example. While there havebeen described what are at present considered to be the preferredembodiments of this invention, it will be obvious to those skilled inthe art that various other embodiments, changes, and modifications maybe made therein in light of the present disclosure. Thus the presentspecifications including the claims, are therefore aimed to cover allsuch changes and modifications, including equivalents, combinations,sub-combinations of various elements described above, the describedembodiments, and their equivalents, as fall within the true spirit andscope of the invention, without departing from the spirit or scope ofthis invention for which letters patent is applied.

1. A seat for a swing comprising: a. a base, dimensioned to allow atplurality of children to be seated therein; b. an upper frame verticallyseparated from the base and disposed thereabove; c. a verticallyextending divider couplable to the base, or to the upper frame, or toboth; and, d. an anchor for attaching the seat to a suspension system.2. The seat as claimed in claim 1 further wherein the divider isremovable.
 3. The seat as claimed in claim 1 further comprising acoupler for coupling the divider to the seat.
 4. The seat as claimed inclaim 3, wherein the coupler comprises a protrusion and at least onecorresponding track, the track is coupled to the seat, or to a portionthereof, such that the divider may be moved along said track and securedthereto at a plurality of locations.
 5. The seat as claimed in claim 4,wherein said track is selected from the group comprising continuousgrooves, continuous slots, a plurality of notches, and discontinuous rowof holes.
 6. The seat as claimed in claim 4, wherein the track iscoupled to the base.
 7. The seat as claimed in claim 4, wherein thetrack is coupled to the upper frame.
 8. The seat as claimed in claim 1,further comprising a locking mechanism to lock the divider in positionrelative to the base.
 9. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein thedivider is permanently attached to the seat.
 10. The seat as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the upper frame comprises at least one substantiallyhorizontal crossbar.
 11. The seat as claimed in claim 10, wherein thedivider is coupled to the crossbar.
 12. The seat as claimed in claim 10,further comprising a tie for securing a child thereto.
 13. The seat asclaimed in claim 12, wherein the tie is removably connectable to thebase or to the crossbar, or to any combination thereof.
 14. The seat asclaimed in claim 12, wherein the tie is integral to the crossbar. 15.The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anchor comprises asuspension system having a plurality of lines comprising of ropes,cords, belts, straps, chains, rods, or a combination thereof.
 16. Theseat as claimed in claim 15, wherein the upper frame comprises at leastone short crossbar, capable of sliding along the suspension system. 17.The seat as claimed in claim 1, further comprising sidewalls extendinggenerally vertically from the base.
 18. The seat as claimed in claim 1,further comprising at least one attachment point, and a removable traycoupleable thereto.
 19. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seatis collapsible.
 20. The seat as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dividerserves to divide the seat into two separate compartments.
 21. A seat asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the upper frame comprises long crossbars, theseat further comprising spacers integrally connected to the longcrossbars.